Playing GM
So the Columbus Blue Jackets have sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets for Patrik Laine. (see also: Columbus Blue Jackets send Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg Jets.)
On Friday evening it was rumored that the Buffalo Sabres were also in the running for Dubois. Sometimes when I hear these rumors I ask myself, self, are they really in the running?
I know what I’m about to say is going to resort in some consternation amongst blue and gold fans, but when I look at this trade I can help thinking if I was playing general manager for a day I totally would have made this deal. Swap out Patrik Laine for Sam Reinhart.
Yes, people are going to tell me I’m crazy, and I don’t mind being the only person on the island left to my craziness, but I totally would have made that deal. I am well aware that Laine also seemed to have over extended his welcome in Canada’s heartland. Both Dubois and Laine seemed to be tired of wearing their current jerseys and wanted a change. I get that. I also sometimes are weary of such players. If they have become disgruntled with their current team they most certain become so with their new team once the honeymoon phase is over. Then it’ll be a same problem all over again; the only thing new will be it’ll be your team’s problem now.
That said I still would have made that deal along with what ever minor league or draft concessions that were on the table at the time. To no surprise Reinhart has fallen out of favor with me personally. I think sometimes he’s over valued in Buffalo, and for all the positives he seems to have, in my humble opinion, a lot of Vanek in him. He is a “B-” player. He’s not an A if we’re giving out grades. Reinhart was a second over all pick in 2014 – just as Eichel was the following year. Eichel is an “A” player. That’s without question, and that’s exactly what I expect from someone who is selected second over all. A top five player has to be a difference maker on the team. They have to be an “A” grade, and nothing less. “B-” will not cut it. On Friday night in Washington when Reinhart peeled off and didn’t expect the pass from teammate Taylor Hall it was an example why his grade is not higher.
This is not to say that I would frivolously trade Reinhart. You don’t trade top players on a whim, but when confronted with a serious offer you have to give it serious consideration. Maybe Kevyn Adams did if they were legitimately in the running for Dubois. Perhaps Columbus was asking too much? I don’t know, and I never pretend something I am not. I am not a hockey beat reporter; so I have to go by with who that are. The rumor Friday evening was that the Sabres were in the running. So we’ll leave it at that.
The Sabres roster has turned over, and there’s more talent on the team at this point in time than there has been over the last few seasons. I would have continued the process of changing things up. Sometimes trading a name brand will do that. Of course, who’s to say it may not still happen? NHL Trade Deadline is April 12.